Brett Traussi

I started foBT Hospitality in 2019 to share my passion for building and elevating restaurants to their full potential. A few short months later the entire industry changed in the course of just a few weeks. It will require creativity and innovation, flexibility and strength, as well as communication and teamwork to adapt to the new realities and expectations of guests.

My entire career has been spent in food and beverage. Currently I am developing several projects in New York City and Florida including the Observation Deck at One Vanderbilt, a skyline-altering building occupying an entire city block adjacent to Grand Central Terminal. Until 2019, I spent 21 years as Operations Director and Chief Operating Officer for Chef Daniel Boulud. Daniel and I collaborated to build dozens of restaurants based on excellence in cuisine and the highest standards of hospitality, winning numerous accolades and Michelin stars along the way. I developed and project-managed the construction and pre-opening of each of our owned and licensed restaurants, in addition to overseeing the entire operations team.

I’ve learned many lessons along the way: the importance of passion, creativity, and leadership. How important culture and training is to a successful operation. The value of having a strong concept, detailed plan, and the determination and stamina to communicate it to everyone.